When did the Renaissance begin? | eNotes When did the Renaissance begin? slchanmo1885 | High School Teacher | (Level 1) Educator Posted on December 18, 2008 at 1:47 AM In the late fourteenth century (that means the late 1300's), a movement of literature, art, and philosophy began in Europe. This movement brought us such people as Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Raphael, Donatello, Galileo, among many others. This was a time of great intellectual and cultural growth in the Western world that influenced many of the ideas, technology, and art we have today. like 9 dislike 0 enotechris | College Teacher | (Level 2) Senior Educator Posted on Why the Renaissance began is answered in the link: like 4 dislike 2 frizzyperm | College Teacher | (Level 1) Educator Posted on December 18, 2008 at 1:54 AM Current thinking is that it is 'wrong' to use the term 'Renaissance' because it suggests certains misunderstandings and that the preferred term is now the Early Mordern Period.

However, Western European interest in ancient learning was accelerated by the reconquest of muslim Spain in the 1450 and the fall of Constantinople in 1453. Urbino in Italy is supposed to have been the place that sparked off this sudden rush of culture, knowledge and discovery in the mid 15th century. like 14 dislike 1 smartatul111 | Student, Grade 9 | (Level 1) Honors Posted on July 2, 2011 at 2:03 AM ocial and political developments in the late Middle Ages gave rise to the spirit of the Renaissance. The Crusades (1096-1291)-the military expeditions undertaken by Christian powers to win the holy land from the Muslims-brought Europeans into contact with other cultures and most importantly with Byzantine civilization. The remnant of the East Roman Empire, Byzantium had preserved the knowledge of ancient times. In addition, many texts thought to have been destroyed during the tribal ransacking of the West Roman Empire (in the fifth century a.d.) remained preserved in various translations throughout the Middle East.

So it was during the Crusades that some of these were brought back to Europe, where classical scholars undertook the task of deciphering the West's cultural past. In northern Italy, a series of city-states developed independent of the larger empires to the north and south of them. These small states-Florence, Rome, Venice, and Milan, among others-gained prosperity through trade and banking, and as a result, a wealthy class of businessmen emerged. These community leaders admired and encouraged creativity, patronizing artists who might glorify their commercial achievement with great buildings, paintings, and sculptures. The most influential patrons of the arts were the Medicis, a wealthy banking family in Florence. Members of the Medici family supported many important artists, including Botticelli and Michelangelo. Guided by the Medici patronage, Florence became the most magnificent city of the period. One way patrons encouraged art was to sponsor competitions in order to spur artists to more significant achievement. In many cases, the losers of these contests went on to greater fame than the winners.

After his defeat in the competition to create the bronze doors of the Baptistery of Florence Cathedral, architect Filippo Brunelleschi (1377-1446) made several trips to take measurements of the ruined buildings of ancient Rome. When he returned to Florence, he created the immense il duomo (dome) of the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, a classically influenced structure that became the first great monument of the Renaissance. like 7 dislike 0 September 3, 2011 at 3:19 PM The Renaissance, which means “new birth” or “resurrection” is generally considered to have started in Italy in the 1300s. It represented a resurgence of interest in classical learning and values, in discovery and exploration of the world, faith in logic, reason and the scientific method as sources of truth, and a celebration of the human mind and body in art and literature. It was also a period of clashes with traditional religious authority, as Copernicus challenged the Ptolemaic view that the earth was the center of the universe. It was also a period when the feudal system went into decline and commerce and international trade began to flourish.

It marked the end of centuries of decline and stagnation that characterized the Dark Ages. July 22, 2011 at 3:03 AM The Renaissance or "rebirth" started in Italy shortly after the end of the dark ages in the early 1300's. It began in different times in different places because of several wars and religious conflicts. It is roughly known as the time between the 1300s to the mid to late 1500s as it transforms into the Reformation. Italy was the starting place due to its close crises with Christiandome. Italy also remembered the great enlightened times of ancient Athens due to its close proximity and use of many things taken from the Greek ancients in culture and experience. like 4 dislike 0 May 6, 2012 at 10:53 PM The Renaissance was basically the beginning of the end for the Feudal style of government that Europe used following the collapse of the Roman Empire in 505 A.D.. European Nobility found that the easiest way to control the masses was to keep them ignorant.

Not only was this convenient for the Nobles, but also the Catholic church who together with the nobles developed the concept of Divine Right. When the Crusades began around 800-1000 A.D., upon returning, Europeans were exposed to items like silks, teas, and spices from the Far East. As a result, a market for these items began to grow. Italian merchants became the middle man for this lucrative exchange. As a result, over time these merchants began to grow rather wealthy. Lacking the tradition culture and pedigree of the noble elite, these merchants sought out this knowledge and culture through educating themselves with the classics of Rome and Greece. This slow methodical process would slow begin to eat away at the foundations of control established by the nobility and Catholic church of the 1300's through the 1400's. 2 great by products of the Renaissance will be the Protestant Reformation and the Great Enlightenment. like 2 dislike 0 When Did The Renaissance Start When Did The Renaissance Start ? When Did The Renaissance Start ? The Renaissance era started from the 14th century and lasted through the 16th century in Italy. It was seen as an era that witnessed revival of art.

The artists in the era drew their inspiration from ancient Greek and Roman sculptures and artwork. The same is also true for architects, who also flourished during this era. In the Renaissance era, artists believed in the philosophy of humanism. This was the philosophy that was considered to be the basis for many accomplishments during ancient Greek civilization. In this era, religion and beliefs were not that important. More importance was given to an individual and his dignity. Renaissance art saw the disappearance of symbolic figures and being replaced by individual figures. In addition, more attention was given to details and realism. Human body and features were depicted in a more realistic manner owing to the development of the linear perspective. Also, the era saw an emphasis on making art that showed righteous deeds and good. In other words, artwork showed the belief that it was man who controlled his own destiny rather than God, and that is why many of the Renaissance artwork show human evil and human good. What started the Renaissance period is still unclear. The 14century that marked the start of the Renaissance, which occurred during the Black Death, war between England and France, and problems within the Church regarding matters related to secularism and spirtualism.

These conditions were not conducive to creativity, but it still happened. One of reasons that Renaissance started in Italy could be the fact that the country was blessed with sculpture and architecture from ancient Roman Empire, copies of ancient Greek sculptures. In addition, Italy, especially Florence, was rich due to success trade with the East, and being ruled by the Medici family, who were very interested in art and keenly promoted it. From Italy, Renaissance spread to other parts of Europe, and this period of Renaissance is known as Northern Renaissance. More Articles : So How Did the Renaissance Begin? | ITALY Magazine So How Did the Renaissance Begin? John Bensalhia | Monday, October 17, 2011 - 14:22 John Bensalhia recalls the era of the High Renaissance and looks at the work and influence of some of the great artists of that period... The Renaissance: A period of cultural rebirth. Its influence can still be felt today, and one of the greatest legacies out of this era is the artwork. So how did the Renaissance begin? It's a movement that began in Florence in the late 13th century.

Historians have pinpointed Florence as the source of the beginning of the ideas that led to the Renaissance, including the writings of poet Dante Alighieri and Francesco Petrarca, the scholar, poet and humanist. From an economic viewpoint, Italy is said to be the source of the birth of the Renaissance, since finance was a key factor in spurring on works from a new creative force of artists and writers. By the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries, Italy was trading with Asia and Europe, increasing its wealth, and in addition, luxuries acquired during the Crusades boosted the wealth of Genoa and Venice. Many of the paintings during the High Renaissance era were commissioned by the Medici family, or those who had links with them, such as the Sassetti or the Tornabuoni. From this point on, there was to be a greater interest in learning in fields such as mathematics, science, philosophy, literature, and of course, the arts. Renaissance art was one of the most influential aspects on Europe – other artists throughout took their cues from these new methods and techniques of painting, sculpture and decoration.

Florence and Rome in particular were responsible for a new breed of artists who would prove to be masters in their field, and with wealthy Italian families prepared to encourage this burgeoning talent, there was to be a prodigious outpouring of influential work that would last throughout the following centuries. With respect to Italian Renaissance painting, this can be broken down into four distinct eras: The Proto Renaissance era, in which the seeds were sown for future great works; the Early Renaissance period; the High Renaissance period, and finally, Mannerism. The period of the High Renaissance is the most enduring. Three High Renaissance artists stand out, and their influence can still be felt all over the world today. Leonardo da Vinci, in particular, is very much THE quintessential Renaissance man, not only in his artwork, but in his outlook on life. Driven by imagination and curiosity, Leonardo was not just an artist, but a scientist, a mathematician, a musician, an engineer and a writer to name but five. But it's his artwork that proves to be the most commonly known aspect of da Vinci's life.

As with the early Renaissance painters, Leonardo's paintings are characterised by innovative technique that makes the most use of light and tone, and an emphasis on detailed studies of human anatomy, physiognomy and emotion (commonly seen in expressions and gestures). Having started with the Baptism of Christ, Leonardo's reputation began to flourish in the 1480s, in particular with Virgin Of The Rocks, commissioned in Milan for the Confraternity of the Immaculate Conception. Detailing a meeting between Jesus and John the Baptist on the flight into Egypt, the painting hangs in the Louvre, while a similar painting (later than the original mid-1480s version but still believed to be again attributed to da Vinci) hangs in the National Gallery in London. The next decade brought another iconic masterpiece, again drawing on Biblical influences, in the form of The Last Supper. The painting depicts the key moment in which Jesus takes supper with his disciples and tells them that one of them will betray him. This painting shows da Vinci's talent for portraying intense human emotion, with the various disciples reacting to the declaration in different ways, with variations of shock, surprise, hurt and anger.

But arguably the most famous Leonardo composition is that of The Mona Lisa, completed in the early part of the 16th century. The painting is a portrait of Lisa del Giocondo, and her enigmatic facial expression, detail and composition have all added up to a truly iconic piece of work. Its legacy has been felt throughout the ages – not only have subsequent artists been influenced by The Mona Lisa, it has also been debated, analysed and talked about by historians and critics – the Baedeker Guide regarded it as “The most celebrated work of Leonardo in the Louvre”, and has also been seen countless times by visitors queuing to see this masterpiece in the Louvre. The other two notable High Renaissance artists are Michelangelo and Raphael. Michelangelo's best-known work is that of the painting of the Sistine Chapel ceiling, which was carried out in the first two decades of the 16th century. The design of the ceiling mainly comprises nine scenes from the Book of Genesis. The extraordinary design has attracted many theories with regards to its subject matter. The most obvious one is that of humanity's need for salvation which was offered by God through Jesus.

But in addition, aside from the symbolism of the early church, it has also been argued that some aspects of the ceiling design also relate to Renaissance schools of thought – more precisely, the attempt to reconcile humanist beliefs with Christian theology. Because Humanists thought that people should answer to God directly rather than through the church, the church took the view that because people were flawed beings with the potential for sin, the two viewpoints clashed. However, Michelangelo's vision reconciles these two opposing viewpoints by presenting religious and Humanist aspects without any sense of visual conflict (for example, non-religious figures like the Sibyls appear). Again, this work of art has influenced both future artists and has attracted countless visitors over the years. Raphael was a great admirer of both Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci (he was notably younger than both – 18 years younger than Michelangelo and nearly 30 than Leonardo). If Raphael is maybe not quite as well known as either artist, it can be argued that his work is a unique amalgamation of many of the High Renaissance artists' styles and techniques. His work takes on board, for example, the lighting techniques and the detailed realism of Leonardo and the notable colours of his tutor Perugino.

One of the most notable works of Raphael is The School Of Athens, painted between 1510 and 1511 as part of a group of wall frescoes in the Vatican chambers. This work of art is regarded as Raphael's masterpiece in that it sums up the Classical spirit of the High Renaissance. By the 15th century, Classical/Greek mythology and philosophy were key aspects of the Renaissance. So with that in mind, The School Of Athens is very much a celebration of Greek philosophy, and while most of the identities are notably ambiguous, critics have argued that Raphael pays homage to every Greek philosopher in the painting. Plato and Aristotle are the most recognisable figures in the painting, although it has also been argued that Plato is modelled on Leonardo da Vinci, while Heraclitus is modelled on Michelangelo. In addition to The School Of Athens, Raphael is also well remembered for his smaller Florentine pictures, La Belle Jardinière and The Sistine Madonna. Both are again iconic works of art even to this day – the former resides in the Louvre, while The Sistine Madonna has influenced future designs of stained glass windows.

Perhaps more significantly, the two cherubs at the bottom of this picture have been reproduced countless times on various items of merchandise. And that's maybe the greatest legacy of all: In that so much of this High Renaissance art is familiar to people in the 21st century today. Whether they are visiting the Louvre, studying the works of these artists, or buying postcards, pictures or any form of merchandise, people are still acknowledging all that great work from centuries ago. Timeless works of art that are both studied and enjoyed the whole world over. Topic: Why did the Renaissance start in Italy during the 15th century? - GCSE Art - Marked by Teachers.com Why did the Renaissance start in Italy during the 15th century? Extracts from this document... Introduction Why did the Renaissance start in Italy during the 15th century? The word Renaissance means rebirth. It was a period when people rediscoverd learning and looking back to the classical civilizations of Rome and Greece for their inspiration. It was an exciting time of new inventions and amazing discoveries, magnificent buildings and beutiful art. My aim in this essay, is to explain why the Renaissance started in Italy during the 15 century.

In this essay I will talk about; The growing wealth of Italy, divided Italy, the classical period, humanists, trade and exploration. The main reasons of why the Renaissance started in Italy during the 15th century were the growing wealth of italy because the history and art of the Greeks influenced the Italiens, and the classical period because the Italiens started to look at the art work from the Greeks and Romans and they started to use art in a simular way. ...read more. Middle Scholars considered shapes, such as squares and circles, to be mathematically perfect. They were delighted that Roman architect Vitruvius had suggested that a perfect human body was naturally in harmony with these perfect mathematical forms. They took this harmony as evidenve of a 'grand design', by which the univese had been formed. Michaelangelo intended his painting to be more than just a picture: it is a statement of humanist beliefs in the power and beuty of humankind. Michaelangelo believed that without God, Adam could not live. Even so, he has portrayed him as strong, relaxed and unafraid. Michaelangelo's painting shows us that, for some Renaissance artists, humanity could be almost divine.

Other painters and sculptors were interested in studying humanity for its own sake. They produced psychological portaitsof individual men and women. These works portrax the sitter's inner character as well as their outward appearance. They go deeper than the mere images of wealth and power, which were usual in earlier portraits. ...read more. Conclusion In the 14th and 15th centuries explorers were able to travel further across the seas because there were great advances in ship design. Sea captains had poor maps and navigation instruments and so rarely sailed out of sight of land. By the 14th century there were new navigation instruments to work out speed and distance. Sailors used compasses to tell which way they were sailing. Astrolobe and cross staff were also invented to help sailors navigate. Maps steadily improved. The Spanish and Portuguese were the best mapmakers because they travelled the furthest afield.

I think that the main factors which spread the Renaissance were divided Italy and the growing wealth of Italy because the history and art of the Greeks and Romans influenced the Italiens, the classical period because the Italiens started to look at the art and architecture from the Greeks and Romans and they started to use art in a simular way and trade because people began to want more luxury goods. Lilian Strobl 8B ...read more. The above preview is unformatted text This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our GCSE Art section. Found what you're looking for? Start learning 29% faster today 150,000+ documents available Why did the renaissance begin in Northern Italy? - A-Level Art & Design - Marked by Teachers.com Why did the renaissance begin in Northern Italy? Extracts from this document... Introduction Why did the renaissance begin in Northern Italy? The birth of the renaissance in Northern Italy cannot be attributed to one definite reason. However historians point to a number of important factors, which combined to influence its beginning. By the fourteenth century much of northern Italy was extremely wealthy.

It was an area active in manufacture, notably of woollen cloth, which was exported at great profit. It was also active in commerce and most importantly, trade. Florence for example, was a major trading centre. Its position just off the west coast of Italy left it close enough to sea for its trade to flourish, yet safe from pirates and corsairs. Therefore Florentine merchants were able to create substantial wealth, importing luxury goods from the Middle East. The cities of Genoa, Venice and Milan also lay on great European trade routes. Genoa dominating the western Mediterranean, Venice the east and Milan keeping contact with Germany. With this substantial wealth these cities created an economic boom, investing their money in banking. They borrowed money to other areas of Europe and even the popes of Rome to further increase their wealth. ...read more. Middle The high level of work forced the wool guild to redo theirs. This fierce level of competition would have stimulated both the patron and his future commissions. Northern Italy also enjoyed a free intellectual and political climate, which helped the development of the Renaissance. Its area was divided into city-states; a unique condition not mirrored anywhere else in Europe. This gave each city state great independency.

With no central court to dictate cultural standards they were left unhindered in their activities. This was also helped by the lack of imperial domination, due to the absence of the holy Roman Emperors whose interests lay only in Germany where they resided. Another key factor was the lack of influence from the papacy, which had been removed from Rome and settled in southern France. This led to the free intellectual climate that allowed painters and sculptors such as Leonardo and Michelangelo to question the images of biblical and stories, such as the last supper and Mary Magdalene. The conditions of Northern Italy led to great individual pride within each city-state. This prompted not only political rivalry as found between Milan and Florence, but also further increased the competition that spurred on artists and patrons. ...read more. Conclusion The historian Jacob Burkhardt in 1860 gave appraisal of the Italian people, singling them out as one of the main reasons for the Renaissance beginning in northern Italy. Although there must have been a great deal of talent present in Northern Italy at the time, it's possible that he formed his opinion based on the praise Renaissance artists wrote each other.

It is probably inaccurate to say an explosion of Italian genius is one of the main reasons for the Italian Renaissance developing in Northern Italy. It is more likely that the as the ideas of o the classical world spread easily through northern Italy and were heavily influential upon Renaissance figures. So the influences, ideas and talents of Renaissance figures spurred on the following generations. Examples of this would be the Influence of Brunelleschi`s mathematical perspective on Masaccios trinity. And the influence of Michelangelo and Leonardo on Raphael's painting style. Not any one of the reasons I have discussed could have alone bought about the Renaissance in northern Italy. It was instead the ideal situation these reasons created together, which allowed the birth of such a cultural movement. Dean Edmunds ...read more. The above preview is unformatted text This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our AS and A Level Art & Design section. Found what you're looking for? Start learning 29% faster today 150,000+ documents available Why did the Renaissance start? | eNotes Why did the Renaissance start?

besure77 | Middle School Teacher | (Level 1) Senior Educator Posted on May 10, 2010 at 4:22 AM The Renaissance was a cultural movement that started in Florence but spread throughout Europe. It started roughly in the 14th century and lasted until the 17th century. It started at different times in different places so there isn't really a specific date that it started. There are many theories in relation to why it started in Florence but most scholars agree that it had to do with the wealth that was there at the time. Renaissance means "rebirth" and people had a new found passion for learning and art. Europe had previously witnessed catastrophic events such as the Black Death and war between England and France. There was a lot of death and despair and people were ready for a revival. like 1 dislike 0 morrowl16 | High School Teacher | (Level 2) Adjunct Educator Posted on November 24, 2015 at 3:32 PM The Renaissance was a cultural movement that initially began in Florence, Italy, but later spread throughout Europe.

It started around 1350 and ended around 1600. During the Renaissance (a word that means "rebirth"), people experienced changes in art, learning, and many other things. Prior to the Renaissance, Europe experienced the Medieval Times, otherwise known as the Dark Ages. The Dark Ages were characterized by war, famine, and disease, and many people disliked this. During the Dark Ages, Humanists emerged, which were people who believed that the individual had important contributions to make in the world (rather than just relying on the church). Humanists got their ideas from the ancient Greeks and Romans, which inspired their new ideas and artistic feats. There are many causes to the Renaissance, the first is the Bubonic Plague, also known as "The Black Death." The plague spread throughout Europe like wildfire during the 1300s but ultimately led to good changes in business and trade in places like Italy. Italy moved away from meager grain sales to the sales of fine items like wine, oil, cheese, and leather goods. Italy's central location made it a great hub for business and trade with the countries of Northern Europe.

(I realize that Italy was not actually called Italy during the Renaissance; however, it is the easiest way to picture it since that is what we call it now). Another cause of the Renaissance was the new idea that social class didn't have to dictate your wealth. For the first time, people realized that they could work hard to earn money and then rise in society, rather than to let the class they were born into dictate their financial freedom. Overall, the Renaissance was a time when people began to think for themselves and to attempt new artistic feats. The trade of fine items and ideas would eventually lead the Renaissance to spread throughout Northern Europe, and for the first time the working class emerged as wealthy. I have provided the Crash Course History-Renaissance video. The narrator speaks a bit fast, but he does a good job covering all of the basics! Italian Renaissance - Facts & Summary - HISTORY.com Google The Italian Renaissance in Context Fifteenth-century Italy was unlike any other place in Europe. It was divided into independent city-states, each with a different form of government. Florence, where the Italian Renaissance began, was an independent republic. It was also a banking and commercial capital and, after London and Constantinople, the third-largest city in Europe.

Wealthy Florentines flaunted their money and power by becoming patrons, or supporters, of artists and intellectuals. In this way, the city became the cultural center of Europe, and of the Renaissance. Did You Know? When Galileo died in 1642, he was still under house arrest. The Catholic Church did not pardon him until 1992. The New Humanism: Cornerstone of the Renaissance Thanks to the patronage of these wealthy elites, Renaissance-era writers and thinkers were able to spend their days doing just that. Instead of devoting themselves to ordinary jobs or to the asceticism of the monastery, they could enjoy worldly pleasures. They traveled around Italy, studying ancient ruins and rediscovering Greek and Roman texts. To Renaissance scholars and philosophers, these classical sources held great wisdom. Their secularism, their appreciation of physical beauty and especially their emphasis on man’s own achievements and expression formed the governing intellectual principle of the Italian Renaissance. This philosophy is known as “humanism.” Renaissance Science and Technology Humanism encouraged people to be curious and to question received wisdom (particularly that of the medieval Church). It also encouraged people to use experimentation and observation to solve earthly problems.

As a result, many Renaissance intellectuals focused on trying to define and understand the laws of nature and the physical world. For example, Renaissance artist Leonardo Da Vinci created detailed scientific “studies” of objects ranging from flying machines to submarines. He also created pioneering studies of human anatomy. Likewise, the scientist and mathematician Galileo Galilei investigated one natural law after another. By dropping different-sized cannonballs from the top of a building, for instance, he proved that all objects fall at the same rate of acceleration. He also built a powerful telescope and used it to show that the Earth and other planets revolved around the sun and not, as religious authorities argued, the other way around. (For this, Galileo was arrested for heresy and threatened with torture and death, but he refused to recant: “I do not believe that the same God who has endowed us with senses, reason and intellect has intended us to forgo their use,” he said.) However, perhaps the most important technological development of the Renaissance happened not in Italy but in Germany, where Johannes Gutenberg invented the mechanical movable-type printing press in the middle of the 15th century.

For the first time, it was possible to make books–and, by extension, knowledge–widely available. Renaissance Art and Architecture During the Italian Renaissance, art was everywhere. Patrons such as Florence’s Medici family sponsored projects large and small, and successful artists became celebrities in their own right. Renaissance artists and architects applied many humanist principles to their work. For example, the architect Filippo Brunelleschi applied the elements of classical Roman architecture–shapes, columns and especially proportion–to his own buildings. The magnificent eight-sided dome he built at the Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral in Florence was an engineering triumph–it was 144 feet across, weighed 37,000 tons and had no buttresses to hold it up–as well as an aesthetic one. Brunelleschi also devised a way to draw and paint using linear perspective. That is, he figured out how to paint from the perspective of the person looking at the painting, so that space would appear to recede into the frame. After the architect Leon Battista Alberti explained the principles behind linear perspective in his treatise Della Pittura (On Painting), it became one of the most noteworthy elements of almost all Renaissance painting.

Later, many painters began to use a technique called chiaroscuro to create an illusion of three-dimensional space on a flat canvas. The End of the Italian Renaissance By the end of the 15th century, Italy was being torn apart by one war after another. The kings of England, France and Spain, along with the Pope and the Holy Roman Emperor, battled for control of the wealthy peninsula. At the same time, the Catholic Church, which was itself wracked with scandal and corruption, had begun a violent crackdown on dissenters. In 1545, the Council of Trent officially established the Roman Inquisition. In this climate, humanism was akin to heresy. The Italian Renaissance was over. Tags Introduction: what was the Renaissance?, Renaissance in Europe, Renaissance and Reformation, SOSE: History Year 8, QLD | Online Education Home Schooling Skwirk Australia 0 Exams Introduction The period of European history referred to as the Renaissance was a time of great social and cultural change in Europe. Generally speaking, the Renaissance spanned from the 14th to the 16th centuries, spreading across Europe from its birthplace in Italy. During the Middle Ages, Italy was not the unified country that it is today.

The Italian Peninsula was instead made up of a number of independent city-states, most of which were ruled by powerful families. The period of time during which the European Renaissance fell was between the end of the Middle Ages (or medieval period) and the beginning of the Modern Age. For some historians, the European Renaissance is considered as the dawn of the Early Modern Era. What does 'renaissance' mean? The term 'renaissance' is derived from the French word meaning 'rebirth'. It is used to describe this phase of European history because many of the changes experienced between the 14th and 16th centuries were inspired by a revival of the classical art and intellect of Ancient Greece and Rome. Much of the art, architecture, literature, science and philosophy that surfaced during the Renaissance was so reminiscent of this ancient past, that it seemed as though Europe was indeed reborn during the late Middle Ages. The Renaissance in the broad context of European history Looking at where the Renaissance falls within the general timeline of European history helps you to understand why it occurred and the important influence it has since had on the course of European history. In a very general sense, the history of Europe can be divided into three main ages.

These ages are known as the Classical Age (also referred to as Ancient Europe), the Middle Ages (also referred to as the medieval period) and the Modern Age. According to the majority of historians, the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century BC marked the end of the Classical Age and the beginning of the Middle Ages. It is also generally accepted that the Industrial Revolution of the late 18th and early 19th centuries sparked the dawn of the Modern Age. Many historians believe that the Renaissance and Reformation (refer to Topic 3) represent a transitional phase of European history, between the late Middle Ages and the early Modern Age. See animation one What was the Renaissance? The Renaissance was a time of great social and cultural change in Europe. It was a period characterised by innovation, imagination and creativity. The Renaissance was also a time during which Europe's classical past was revisited and reinvigorated. Much of the inspiration behind cultural movements of the Renaissance came from people's attempts to emulate (imitate and improve) the legacies of classical European societies, such as Ancient Rome and Greece. The Renaissance also represented a break away from the conformist society and culture of medieval Europe.

A conformist society is one in which people strictly follow established rules and practices. Breaking away from this mould, the Renaissance was a time during which new and inventive ideas began to spread and gain influence. Gradually, this decreased the dominance previously held by the Catholic Church. Where did the Renaissance begin? The European Renaissance began in Northern Italy in the 14th century. The Tuscan city of Florence is considered the birthplace of the Renaissance. Gradually, the movement spread from Italy to other parts of Europe. In Italian, the period is referred to as il Rinascimento, (refer to Chapter 2 for more detail on the origins of the Renaissance). What changes did the Renaissance bring? The most notable changes experienced during the Renaissance were in the fields of art and architecture, literature, philosophy and science. In was in these disciplines that new trends and fresh styles emerged, inspired by Europe's ancient history. See Image one Art Unlike the artistic styles of the earlier Middle Ages, which placed more importance on symbolism than reality, renaissance art was more life-like and contained perspective. Painters began to depict the human form with increasing accuracy, which was enabled by a better understanding of human anatomy.

This anatomical knowledge was gained from advances made in the field of medicine during the Renaissance period. Much of this new knowledge can be attributed to the pioneering Renaissance figure, Leonardo da Vinci. See Image two Literature The Renaissance was also a time of great literary change. Writers and poets looked back to the poems and texts of Ancient Greece and Rome. Renaissance literature dealt much more with human characteristics and behaviours, shifting away from the religious and metaphysical subjects of earlier Medieval books, poems and plays. With the invention of the printing press in the 1440s, information suddenly became much more accessible to the general public, which had a huge impact on the field of education. Philosophy Philosophical trends also changed during the Renaissance. New ways of thinking, sparked by a philosophy known as humanism, altered the way in which people thought about human beings and the universe. During medieval times, the Catholic Church had been the major force influencing people's thoughts and beliefs on these matters. Unlike the Catholic faith, however, humanism did not promote the notion that humans are naturally sinful and it also placed a lot of emphasis on finding reason.

With the spread of humanistic thought, the medieval emphasis on spirituality was gradually replaced by a focus on the more physical characteristics of humans. The field of study now referred to as the humanities (history, social sciences, the arts, literature and languages) is derived from the term humanism. The philosophical changes which occurred during the Renaissance also paved the way for another shift in thinking that was experienced in Europe at the turn of the Modern Age. This later revolution was known as the Enlightenment. Science Science and engineering were other fields that experienced major changes during the Renaissance. Many new and exciting discoveries were made, mainly in the areas of anatomy, astronomy and physics. Breakthroughs in engineering also paved the way for many of the world's most significant inventions, such as telescopes, clocks and spectacles. Pioneering Renaissance scientists and inventors included Galileo Galilei and Leonardo da Vinci. See Image three Striving for perfection In 1507 an Italian writer named Count Baldassare Castiglione published a famous book called 'The Courtier'. In this book, inspired by his observations of peoples' public behaviour, Castiglione outlined the manner in which he believed 'perfect' men and women should behave.

With the invention of the printing press half a century earlier, it was not long before 'The Courtier' had been read by many people across Europe. After reading this influential book, many followers were inspired to become as physically and intellectually perfect as possible. Men such as Leonardo da Vinci and Leon Battista Alberti represented the perfect 'Renaissance man'. Both were multi-talented in a number of fields. See Image four See Image five Why was there a renaissance in Europe? The Middle Ages of European history was a time characterised by conformism. People who displayed creativity or diverged (moved away) from established methods of thinking and behaving, were often punished or outcast from society. The early Middle Ages were a time of fear in Europe and many people beleived that mythical creatures existed in an underworld. The world was thought to consist of only three continents, and the Earth, not the Sun, was considered to be the centre of the solar system. Many of these medieval beliefs were proven untrue during the Renaissance. Until the Renaissance, most Europeans followed the teachings of Catholicism because they had little exposure to any form of education beyond this. Science was not a well-understood concept and very little of what the Church taught people about life was challenged.

Those who spoke out against the Church were accused of heresy and labelled a heretic (someone who holds unorthodox beliefs). Heretics were often subject to extremely severe punishments, such as being tortured or burned at the stake in front of the townspeople. During the Renaissance, however, things started to change. The 14th through to the 16th centuries in Europe were a period of questioning and discovery. People started to think independently and experiment with new ideas and concepts. As more and more advancements were made in the arts and sciences, the Catholic Church began to lose the overwhelming power and influence it had once held over people's beliefs about the world. Was there more than one renaissance in Europe? The word 'renaissance' is derived from a French word meaning rebirth. It essentially means to revive, revisit or reinvigorate and could therefore be applied to many societies, to describe different stages of their histories Many parts of Europe underwent a period of renaissance between the end of the Middle Ages and the beginning of the Modern Age. When viewed together, these movements form an overall period of renaissance in Europe. The rebirths of different areas were, however, quite distinct from one another.

They did not all occur at exactly the same time and in exactly the same manner. For this reason, some historians speak of a series of renaissances in Europe. This is why you may have heard people use the terms Italian Renaissance, French Renaissance and English Renaissance, instead of speaking of a general European Renaissance. Why did the renaissance begin in Italy? - History homework help Due in 2 hrs, 175... Why did the renaissance begin in Italy? Why did the Renaissance start in Italy? Describe the role of the aristocratic courts of such powerful figures as the de Medicis and the papacy in engendering and sustaining this cultural revival. Doesn't have to be very long. At least 25 lines. Answer Submitted by Dr.Eric on Thu, 2015-02-19 18:00 teacher rated 152 times file1.docx preview (421 words) xxxxxxxxxxx IN xxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx refers xx xxx revival of humanistic classical in xxxxx architectural designs, xxxxxxxxxx xxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx that originated from xxxxx xx xxxxxx 14th century xxx xxxxx later spread xxxxxxxxxx xxx xxxxxx Europe.

xxxx xxx a transition period from medieval to xxxxxx times through the 16th century from the 14th xxxxxxxx xxx xxxxxx it began xx Italy was due to x xxxxxx of facts xxxx xx the ruins xx Ancient Rome which xxxxxxxx xxx xxxxxx about their xxxxxxxx past. Another xxxx xxxxxx was xxxx in Italy, xxxxx were small xxxxxx in the xxxxxxxxxxx xxx Christendom xxxxxxxxxxx This events xxx shaped xxxxx in xxx past years which resulted to a xxxxxxx xxx an xxxxxxxxxxx xx xxxxxxxxxxxxx xxx presence xx the xxxxx ruins xxx xxxxxxx along with the xxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xx xxx renaissance in xxxxxx xxx role xx aristocratics xxxxxx of powerful figures xxxx as de Medicis was xx xxxxxxx xxx economy by making xxxx that the xxxxx of Medici xxxxxxxxx the xxxxxxxxx - - - more text follows - - -

Question: In what century did the Renaissance begin?
Answer: 14th